Renault's 2014 F1 engine to 'wake you from sleep'

Renault became the first supplier to reveal its engine for the 2014 Formula 1 season on Friday promising that the new unit will not lose any of the appeal.

The French manufacturer officially named the unit ‘Energy F1’ in reference to the 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 aimed at fuel efficiency allied with energy recovery systems.

“After three years of planning and development, the most significant technical change to hit the sport in more than two decades is introduced,” Renault Sport F1 said in a statement.

Although the power generated by the new engine will exceed the output of current V8s, fuel efficiency however will be radically improved.

“With only 100kg permitted for the race, the new units will use 35 percent less fuel than their predecessors,” Renault Sport F1 said.

Red Bull and Toro Rosso have been already confirmed to use Renault engines next year with Lotus and Caterham expected to be retained as a customer.

Renault has promised that even though the size of the engine has been reduced, the noise will still be loud.

"It will wake you from sleep, and circuit neighbours will still complain," said Renault Sport F1 deputy managing director (technical) Rob White.

“I am sure some people will be nostalgic for the sound of engines from previous eras, including the preceding V8, but the sound of the new generation power units is just different,” White pointed out. “It’s like asking whether you like Motorhead or AC/DC. Ultimately it is a matter of personal taste. Both in concert are still pretty loud.”